I’m doing conservation/invasion ecology research for what started out as an internship but now is just assistance from some grad students on my individual project, and my goal is to have my work published by the time I graduate (I’m currently a junior). The people I’m working with who have had multiple works published are really encouraging me to pursue this and think it’s very doable for me. My very academically successful friends who have been accepted to schools like Northwestern and Georgetown have acted like this makes me an elite/Ivy level applicant.
I just don’t know what colleges would make of this and if it really sets me apart.
I’m a good student otherwise, 3.8/4.2 GPA, ECs are marching band and indoor percussion, TSA (I’m VP of our chapter), Ethics Bowl, Scholars Bowl, NHS, and 2 other school-specific student orgs.